Renter "perks"

What "perks" if any does a renter get as opposed to an actual owner for DVC? I'm trying to decide if it's worth renting points for our 10 night trip or to just rent a house off site and stay there. I like the idea of being on site and being a bit more wrapped in Disney by never actually leaving the property. I guess my main "concern" is if free dining is offered in December if we would be able to get that with renting DVC points or if it's only for the owners or for the resort hotel guests??? Our dates include Thanksgiving so I'm guessing we wouldn't be able to do free dining then (wouldn't imagine anyone being able to hoenstly) but hopefully the week following - I'm not sure what the "blackout dates" would possibly be for that. I've read over the stickies and stuff on the different pages and maybe I totally missed it so I would appreciate any help!

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You'll get the "perks" of a Disney hotel guest - early entry, Magical Express, Access to the dining plan (but not free - never free on points), package delivery to the resort.

You are not entitled to, but may end up getting, some of the specific DVC perks - free internet access, a few discounts on meals. Sometimes these are given to people staying on points without asking for the "blue member card" and by seeing the "Member" room key - but if they ask for the correct card, you won't have it.

You don't get to pool hop - and there is a nearly zero chance you'll get an annual pass discount (that they ask for ID matching the member's address).

Just so you know free dining is only offered to those guest choosing to pay rack rate for a hotel room- points are considerably less than rack rate- in fact most of the time you can find a discount that will bring an onsite room to less than rack rate.

The biggest perk for renters is being able to get the dining plan without the holiday surcharge and without purchasing ticket through Disney. Otherwise everything you get is the same as any other hotel guest.